Rose Marie Nichols went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 25, 2025, at the age
of 88.

Rose was born on November 6, 1936 in Decatur, Illinois to William Whalen and Grace (White) Whalen.
She married Arthur Nichols in 1956 in Decatur and together raised three children. Art and Rose had
been married 68 years when he preceded her in death on September 10, 2025.

Rose was born the second youngest of seven children in the Whalen family. At the young age of
eleven, she lost her mom to cancer and had to take on a much older role in her home as she helped
care for her younger brother Jerry. As a little girl, Rose was nicknamed “Cookie” by her grandmother
and the name stuck. Most everyone in the Whalen family, plus Art, called her Cookie throughout her
life.

Rose was a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom. She was known for her cooking and baking, and
she kept everyone supplied with sweets especially during the holidays. Family gatherings were special
to her and she always made them special. Rose loved to sew and she was a great seamstress. She
made clothes for her two daughters throughout their grade school years and way beyond for special
occasions. She also enjoyed cross-stitching and crafted an abundance of beautiful keepsake pieces.

Rose was a member of the Decatur Foursquare Church for the majority of her life, having attended
since she was a teenager. Rose cherished the many lifelong friendships she gained through her
involvement at church.

Art and Rose made family vacations a priority every summer while raising their children. They loved to
travel and thoroughly enjoyed the many group trips through the years with their church friends and
family.

Rose is survived by her daughters Tina Niles of Mt. Zion and Diana (Harry) Pridemore of Decatur,
grandsons Brandon (Mandy) Niles of Decatur and Bryan (Jessica) Niles of Maroa, great-grandchildren
Addison, Brenna, Faith, and Annabelle.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Jack, William, David and Thomas,
sister Patricia Richardson, son Jimmie, son-in-law Terry Niles, granddaughter Lauren McNamara-
Nichols, and great-grandson Dallas Niles.